Cape Town

Overview

Cape Town is often called one of the most beautiful cities in the world, with Table Mountain overlooking the city and bay and the Cape of Good Hope nearby.

History

Cape Town was founded in 1652 as the earliest Dutch East India Company settlement in Africa, a resupply station for shipping to Asia. It expanded rapidly after the British took over in 1806. Apartheid both began and unravelled here, and Robben Island prison, where Nelson Mandela was held for 18 years, bears witness to that history and became a World Heritage Site in 1999. Since the free elections of 1994 the city has become a symbol of the post-apartheid rainbow nation.

Highlights

• •Sweeping views over Table Bay and the whole city from the summit
• •Standing at the Cape of Good Hope, the southern tip of Africa
• •African penguins up close at Boulders Beach
• •The colourful Bo-Kaap houses where Portuguese, Dutch and Malay cultures meet
• •Visiting the former political prison and Mandela's cell on Robben Island

Practical tips

• •Book the cable car in advance
• •Take care with personal safety

Practical information

Best time

November to April

Tickets

Table Mountain cableway about ZAR 380 return; Cape of Good Hope about ZAR 352

Opening hours

Table Mountain cableway 8:00 to 19:30, weather permitting

Local food

South African braai, abalone and wine

Getting around

Self-drive or the sightseeing bus is recommended; the Table Mountain cableway opens depending on weather

Visa

A tourist visa is required, with documents prepared about a month ahead; some border crossings offer a visa on arrival, subject to official announcements.

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